Marr Quits Cribs, M.I.A. & Blaqstarr Collab + More

After three years playing and recording with brotherly Brit rock trio the Cribs, Johnny Marr has announced he is departing the band to focus on writing and recording his own solo material as well as soundtrack projects. The split appears to be amicable. “We ended up doing much more than we originally set out to, and I’ve made three good friends,” Marr said. [Johnny Marr’s Official Site]

Blaqstarr has released a new mixtape featuring guest spots from M.I.A., Mos Def, Diplo, and others. Pick it up for free over at his official site.

David Byrne has settled a lawsuit with former Florida governor Charlie Crist over unauthorized use of a Talking Heads song in a campaign ad. Byrne sued the politician last year for $1 million when he used the Heads’ classic “Road to Nowhere” in a television spot that attacked opponent Marco Rubio in a U.S. Senate race, which Crist ended up losing. The financial terms of the settlement were not disclosed, but Crist has been ordered to record an apology, which he posted on YouTube. [AP]

Arcade Fire, Muse, The Black Keys, MGMT, and Deadmau5 are among the top-billed talent at this year’s Outside Lands Festival, taking place August 12-14 in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. Phish will also headline the fest and perform two sets. Tickets go on sale April 14. [Outside Lands Official Site]

Deerhunter have released a rocking, lo-fi new B-side titled “Nosebleed,” which is available on single for “Memory Boy.” Head over to Some Kind of Awesome to stream it.

The IRS is going after Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne for unpaid back taxes, according to TMZ. The government is claiming the couple owe $1.7 million in unpaid taxes for 2008 and 2009.

Sade has teamed up with Jay-Z for a remix of her track “The Moon and the Sky,” which will be included on the double-disc set The Ultimate Collection, out May 3. Hear it below (via Pitchfork).

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Alessandro Cortini tends to surround himself with darkness. The Italian producer is most infamous as a torturer of modular synths and other bleak electronics for Los Angeles’ most famous industrial-goths, Nine Inch Nails. His previous solo LP, Sonno, slinked out on Prurient’s Hospital Productions — a bastion of the crepuscular, if there ever was one. And… More »